Blog | Ciera Design Studio

My Fitness Motivation

April 7, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

I’m finally feeling like I am in a good workout stride after years of being off track. I joined a gym a year ago for the first time in forever. My gym teaches the Les Mills exercise programs and I’m totally obsessed with them! Doing the same workout bores me and I need to be having fun, otherwise I’ll stop going. So right now my favorite class is Body Combat which is inspired by mixed martial arts and draws from a wide array of disciplines such as karate, boxing and taekwondo. It’s super hard, fun and a great stress reliever! Since they are always releasing new classes it never gets boring which keeps me going back!

Another motivating factor is keeping a fresh workout wardrobe. Since I work from home, there are lots of days when I put my gym clothes on in the morning even though my classes are not til the evenings. I’ll work and run errands in them and then head to the gym. I don’t want to wear faded old t-shirts and old sweats, I want to look presentable even though it’s just to the grocery store and the gym!

I usually wear black bottoms but that gets boring, so I recently decided to try out, Albion Fit. They have some really cute options in fun colors! There stuff is so comfy that I’ve found my self throwing it on even when I’m not heading to the gym. They actually have a bunch of items that work as normal clothes AND they have swimwear!

Woman in Blue Leggings Tying Laces for Workout in Park Woman Putting Hair In Ponytail for Workout Blue Leggings and Gray Top for Workout in Park

I’ve been putting my hair up with Haybands hair ties and headbands, this is a local New Orleans company! And when I use headphones, Sol Republic’s Relays are great! They come with a clip so they don’t flap around and are designed to stay in while working out.

Woman Putting Hair In Ponytail for Workout

I hope you enjoyed this little insight on how I stay motivated to work out! I’ll be back next week to share how I’ve been updating my breakfast and lunch for a healthier diet! Do you have any motivational tips for staying in shape!

Woman in Blue Leggings and Gray Top for Workout

Go Long Leggings in Cobalt c/o Albion Fit / Go Long Crew in Charcoal c/o Albion Fit / Hairband and Headband c/o Haybands / Relays Headphones c/o Sol Republic / Sports Bra Avia via TJ Maxx / Nike Revolution Running Shoes via DSW / Photos by Zander White

Giveaway Time! Closed

If you are having a hard time getting in gear, I thought I’d do a fun giveaway to get you motivated! One lucky winner will receive:

$50 Albion Fit Gift Card
Sol Republic Relays Headphones
Music download from RUN DMT (whose song is in the new Relays video)
Miscellaneous selection of Haybands hair ties and headbands

Discounts!

15% off any albionfit.com purchase with code ciera15 (valid through the 11th) and 15% off your Haybands purchase with code HAYCIERA (valid through the 18th).

Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway open to US and Canada shipping addresses only. Winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!! Have any questions? Feel free to contact me. If you are in a reader click out to access the Rafflecopter entry form. Please note that your entry will be removed if you do not complete it correctly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I have always been a Puma and Converse person for tennis shoes, but those were just not right for the gym so I finally got a good pair of shoes that I love for working out! I spent way to much time researching them and finding a good deal, so I have included some of my faves below.

I received free goods as compensation for this post however all opinions are my own.

Hello Spring – Desktop and iPhone Wallpaper Freebies

April 4, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

I have two freebies for y’all this month! The first one is Spring inspired, of course! I can’t even tell you how happy I am that Spring is here and I don’t even live in a cold climate! I want everything covered in flowers and sunshine, even my desktop!

Hello Spring Desktop Freebie From Ciera Design

You can grab this Hello Spring design right here: [download id=”67″ format=”10″] // [download id=”68″ format=”10″]

The second design was created as a reminder to keep pushing myself! I’ve always loved learning and I’m always looking to grow as a designer. This year I have pledged to make room for more classes, to take on projects that are outside of my comfort zone, to create e-books and to do more bro bono work for causes that I really believe in because unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. You can grab this Do Something Beyond design on Bunny & Dolly.

Do Something Beyond Desktop Freebie From Ciera Design

Hope you enjoy April’s designs for your devices.

Design Portfolio: 2013 Touro Infirmary Foundation Gala Invitation

April 2, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

I have some new work to share with y’all today! I absolutely love designing invitation suites and this one was no exception. Touro Infirmary was looking for a special piece to invite guests to their annual fundraiser. We decided to go with a larger format for both the Save The Date and the Invitation so that it would really stand out in the mail. To add a touch of elegance to their recognizable brand colors we used a midnight blue stock with silver ink. Simple but effective! I knew that placing all of the names on the tree wasn’t going to be easy but it turned out great and is a special way to recognize all of the founders. And now it’s time for me to start designing the 2014 invites for them!

Touro Infirmary Foundation Gala Invitation Front

Touro Infirmary Foundation Gala Invitation Inside

That’s A Wrap: March

March 31, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

Ciera-Design-Blog-Posts-March

on the blog

– My New Contact Cards from Printstagram
– A Bold + Beautiful Moodboard
– Showcase Font – this amazing font composed of four styles, script, sans, slab & sans mini is still 80% off!
– My Radiant Orchid Favorites
– The Font Feast Presents Roasted Veggies
– The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Get desktop and iphone freebie!
– What I Wore + a little history about my love for PJ’s coffee
– Creative Events I’d Like To Attend

in the studio

I opened up a Creative Market shop and added a wedding invitation suite that I designed! I sent a client’s business card files off to be letterpressed and can’t wait to see them! I also designed a baby shower invite which I’ll be sharing on the blog soon! Lot’s going on but I have limited availability coming up so get in touch if you have any design needs!

elsewhere

– The lovely Monique of Antisparkle Apparel interviewed me for her Chase the Stars series, check it out!
– The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Get desktop featured on Cosas Molonas
– DIY Geometric Felt Coasters featured on DIY Candy
– March’s desktop wallpaper freebie available for download on Whimseybox!
– DIY Air Plant Globes featured on Brown Finches

from-the-archives
– Festival Fashion
– Jazz Festin’
– Friendship Bracelet DIY
– Baby Photos of Me at Jazz Fest

The Font Feast Presents Roasted Veggies

March 26, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

roasted-veggies

Last year, we signed up for our first CSA. Not the kind of CSA my friends subscribe to (no offense if you’re reading this, ladies) where you go pick up a cheap box of pineapples and bananas every week. The CSA we signed up for was run by a little family that grew, picked, and delivered all of their own vegetables every week from Spring to Fall. We signed up for a Large Box and were awash in produce for six whole months. We ate lots and lots and lots of cool vegetables–crazy varieties of cucumbers and broccoli, potatoes in every color imaginable, more tomatillos than we could possibly consume, the totally weird-looking but delicious kohlrabi–and oven-roasting became my go-to method for cooking any and every vegetable.

Oven-roasting is great for so very many reasons. First, it is so quick. It literally takes just a few minutes of prep work and just a few minutes of cooking. Even if you are cooking other things in the oven and have to wait to roast the veggies until the last minute, they’ll be ready by the time you’ve called everyone to the table. Second, you can roast pretty much any vegetable using this same method and they’ll taste great. All you have to vary is the cooking time. Third, it makes the colors really pop! Greens, oranges, purples…they all become even more vibrant as they cook. And last but not least, and actually best of all, roasted veggies taste amazing, plain and simple. They get brown and crispy in spots, and their flavor really deepens. Yum! I can’t wait for our Large Box of veggies to start rolling in again in a few weeks!

The font that inspired this easy recipe (more of a method, really) is so appropriate: Bright + Beautiful by Skyhaven Fonts.

Roasted Veggies Recipe

Roasted Veggies inspired by Bright + Beautiful

vegetables, washed, dried, and chopped into hefty bit-sized pieces (We are on a cauliflower kick lately!)
extra virgin olive oil
garlic salt

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Spread the vegetables out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle all over with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with garlic salt. Using clean hands, toss the veggies until everything is well-coated with oil and salt. Roast the veggies, tossing occasionally with a long-handled spoon or spatula, until lovely, crispy, brown spots appear and the veggies are just tender. The time will vary depending on what vegetable you’re roasting. Green beans go quickly, broccoli and cauliflower take a little longer. Check often. Eat immediately.

So…this is my last Font Feast post, everybody. It has been such a pleasure to work with Ciera on this series for the past 18 months, and I’ve loved every single post! xoxo

About the author: Melissa writes about her adventures in food, family, and farming at Lulu the Baker. She develops recipes, cooks, and photographs for The Font Feast column.

What I Wore // Working At The Coffee Shop

March 24, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

I thought it’d be fun to tell y’all my history with PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans, my favorite coffee of all time! It was founded with a single shop in 1978 and has spread throughout the Greater New Orleans area, then the Southeast and has even made it to other parts of the United States including California.

My grade school was only a few blocks away from the original location on Maple Street, so in 7th and 8th grade we used to walk there after school and hang out in their courtyard. Then in high school my best friend lived next door to a PJ’s which we frequented at least once, sometimes twice a day. I don’t even want to know how much money I spent there during those four years! Now I’m back in the Maple Street area and their iced coffees are still my absolute favorite coffee, ever, anywhere! Not to mention their amazing spinach and feta croissants and a granita when I really want to treat myself!

Most days I make coffee at home to save money but I get cravings for their yummy coffee all the time and I usually give in… hey, I deserve it! I also love to go and work from their courtyard every once in a while when the weather is nice. Crazy how constant some things in life can be! And just excuse my bitchy resting face in the third photo.

Ciera Holzenthal with MacBook Pro at Coffee Shop

Ciera Holzenthal with MacBook Pro at Coffee Shop Courtyard

Graphic Designer with MacBook Pro and Coffee In Courtyard

Striped Dress, Brown Leather Purse and Coffee

Ciera Holzenthal with MacBook Pro and Coffee

Shop Similar

Photos by Hannah Colclazier

Radiant Orchid For Spring

March 20, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

Now that it’s officially Spring (yay!) I feel like I can finally embrace Pantone’s color of the year, Radiant Orchid! Described by Pantone as “an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” Truthfully, I wasn’t really sold on the color, but after creating this round-up, I’m converted and I want everything here! Especially that iPhone case that looks like a camera, whoa!

Pantone Color of the Year Radiant Orchid Roundup

Hunter Boots / Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss / Cashmere Sweater / iPhone Case / Proenza Schouler Satchel (Suede+Leather) / Michael Kors Watch / Pantone Cup / Lavender Violet Lip Pencil / Converse / Initial Keychain / Pumps / And a few more favorites:

My Favorite Maps of the United States

March 18, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

I hope y’all had a fun St. Patrick’s Day! I didn’t do anything special yesterday but I did go to a parade on Saturday. This one house has an amazing party every year, you can see a few photos on my Instagram. So onto today’s post! As a graphic designer, I have always been drawn to maps. I have a few in my home office and I even made a travel map of my own to highlight my travels. If you are not into DIY, I’m sharing some of my favorite posters of the U.S. over on Printaholic today including this gorgeous hand-drawn typographic one by Old English Co.

Hand Drawn Typographic United States Map Print by Old English Co

And in other news, I’ve selected the winner for the Printstagram contact cards, head over to see if it was you!

Showcase Font by Latinotype [Friday Favorites]

March 14, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

Showcase, the new typeface of Daniel Hernandez and Paula Nazal is a handmade font composed of four styles: script, sans, slab, sans mini plus a set of ornaments and dingbats. Showcase is very easy to use and the styles are designed to mix well and work together in perfect harmony. The underlying theme is handwriting: all styles look as if they have been carefully hand-drawn with a monolinear round pen. The result is a versatile and easy-to-use family that allows great versatility for magazine design, menus, labels, brochure titles and so much more. And great news, there is an amazing introductory discount of 80% off until April 12, 2014!

Showcase Font by Latinotype

Type samples from MyFonts.com. Affiliate links used.

Creative Events I’d Like To Attend

March 12, 2014 by Ciera Holzenthal

Creative Events I'd Like To Attend

There are so many awesome creative events across the country it’s unbelievable! I see people recapping them on their blogs and I hear about them on Twitter but I always seem to be late to the game on the ones I want to attend. So in an attempt to organize the ones I want to attend, I decided to start a list (surprise, surprise) organized by month. There is no way I’ll be able to attend them all this year, probably only one or two, but here is my wish list:

Alt SLC Summer

Alt Summit just announced a second flagship conference and I want to be there! I attended Alt SLC in January 2013 and it was such an amazing time that I’d love to experience again. I’m thinking about applying to be a speaker, but so nervous!

Creative South

Creative South exposes creative and marketing professionals, business people, and students to key speakers on the subject of branding and design in the digital era. I’ve been trying to find more events in the South since it cuts down on travel cost for me and this one seems awesome!

Design Ranch

Design Ranch isn’t one of those slide-and-lecture “big conferences,” it’s about putting down your mouse, getting your hands dirty and reviving your creative spirit. They want attendees to head home with a fire in their belly and a fresh take on design that can only be achieved by unplugging and gettin’ a little dirty. I don’t know too much about this one but it seems really cool and it’s in the South, so that’s a plus!

How Design Live

HOW Design Live is the biggest annual gathering of creative professionals, anywhere. I have been wanting to attend HOW for years now, it’ll happen one day!

Weapons of Mass Creation Fest

Weapons of Mass Creation is a young grassroots movement to inspire and enable the creative mind. They believe that good things happen when ideas and talents are shared within the community. This mentality manifests itself in the lifestyle of a Weapon of Mass Creation. A person who defies the hand they’re dealt and makes stuff happen.

Designer Vaca

Designer Vaca is a gathering of female graphic and web designers from all over the country to dream, relax, collaborate, share experiences, and learn from each other. This intimate environment has a relaxed anti-conference feel creating space for amazing connections and beautiful relationships to take place. So bummed I didn’t go to this last year, but I had just returned home from Palm Springs and couldn’t justify the travel costs at the time.

The Yellow Conference

The Yellow Conference is a brand new event created by Joanna Waterfall. It’s a gathering for creative women who desire to ignite passion and bring goodness to the world through everyday living.

Circles

Circles is a creative conference where designers can learn from world-changing thinkers and innovators for the creative community. I attended Circles 2013 and this is another one I’d love to attend again.

Maiedae Mixer

Maiedae Mixer is another Southern event that looks like SO much fun! This is a “Get Fancy, Get Connected” (as they like to call it) networking event for bloggers.

Do you have any events on your wish list? Do you have an event you’ve attended that you recommend?

If you can’t make it to any of these big events, you can always find smaller meet-ups in your area… and if you don’t have any around, start your own!

Photo by Brooke Dennis for Alt Summit